The bloodhound: A legendary nose that still leads the way
This summer, Belga English is showcasing some of Belgium’s most remarkable animals. From giant rabbits to enormous horses and dogs with the best sense of smell in the world, we look at the unique species that originate in Belgium.
With their drooping ears, solemn eyes and wrinkled faces, bloodhounds may look mournful. But beneath their sagging skin lies one of the most formidable scent-tracking machines in the animal kingdom.
The bloodhound is a breed of dog with origins in Belgium. According to legend, Bishop Hubert of Liège kept a whole pack of them – and the breed is also known as the St Hubert hound. This four-legged Sherlock Holmes, renowned for its exceptional sense of smell, has been used to track humans for more than 100 years.
With its striking appearance and extraordinary scent-tracking abilities, the breed became a favourite of the French royal family. In 1066, William the Conqueror introduced the breed to England, where it was refined through selective breeding to produce the British bloodhound recognised today.
A bloodhound at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, June 2022 © PHOTO TIMOTHY A CLARY / AFP
Trumpet, winner of the Westminster Dog Show Best in Show, June 2022 © PHOTO GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP
Washington DC Police Department’s first bloodhound, Sam, a dog trained to track human scent, in 2013 © AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEBThe name “bloodhound” does not imply any aggression. Instead, it refers to the dog’s “noble blood” – a nod to its status as one of the first breeds meticulously preserved by monks and aristocrats through controlled breeding.
These dogs have an estimated 300 million scent receptors – more than any other breed – and a brain wired to process complex scent trails that are days old.
Unlike most tracking dogs, bloodhounds can follow a single human scent over long distances and through challenging terrain, including urban environments.
Bloodhounds are still used by police forces, search-and-rescue teams and forensic units around the world today. They are particularly valuable in locating missing children, disoriented elderly people and escaped prisoners.
However, their superpower brings challenges. Bloodhounds are strong-willed and difficult to train. Their single-minded focus on scent means they can ignore commands, cars and physical obstacles.
They require early and consistent handling, as well as considerable patience. Their size and drool-prone jowls also mean they are demanding pets and are better suited to experienced owners than first-timers.
Nevertheless, their contributions are undeniable. In an era of thermal drones and facial recognition technology, the bloodhound’s nose remains a highly precise yet low-tech tool. In the wake of natural disasters, when digital tools fail or power grids collapse, it is often the bloodhound that leads rescuers to missing people.
The bloodhound – unchanged in appearance for centuries and still unmatched in performance – endures not as a relic of the past but as a vital partner in the present, with its nose to the ground and purpose in every step.
A bloodhound at the ceremonial blessing of the animals at the Saint-Hubert basilica in Wallonia, November 2018 © PHOTO BELPRESS
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